Lewis & Clark Lake, formed by Gavins Point Dam along the Missouri River, straddles the South Dakota-Nebraska border near the South Dakota city of Yankton. The reservoir's name honors famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who navigated the Missouri's uncharted waters and met with members of the Yankton Sioux in the region in 1804. Today, the 25-mile-long lake -- which has 31,000 surface acres and 90 miles of shoreline -- attracts more than 2 million visitors annually and is a haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including anglers in search of a variety of freshwater fish.

Gaining Access

Together, the shorelines of Lewis & Clark Lake and nearby Lake Yankton, a much smaller lake on the east side of the Gavins Point Dam, boast 23 recreation areas, 12 of which are on the South Dakota side and managed by the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The areas provide lake access and amenities such as campgrounds, trails, swimming beaches and boat ramps. The state-owned Lewis & Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, one of South Dakota's most popular resort parks, has a boat ramp and marina with about 400 slips, plus overnight options that include motel rooms, cabins and more than 400 campsites. Tabor, Sand Creek and Springfield recreation areas -- all within a half-hour drive of Gavins Point Dam -- also have boat ramps on Lewis & Clark Lake.

Rules and Regulations

South Dakota or Nebraska residents with valid licenses may fish anywhere on either side of Lewis & Clark Lake, Lake Yankton and the Missouri River. Nonresidents with a South Dakota fishing license also can fish anywhere on lakes Lewis & Clark and Yankton. South Dakota fishing licenses are available online or at more than a half-dozen locations in Yankton, including Captain Norm's Bait Shop near the Gavins Point Dam. Anglers should check the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website for catch limits on individual species found in Lewis & Clark Lake.

Prime Targets and Spots

Anglers can pursue a number of fish species in Lewis & Clark Lake, which has an abundance of largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie, catfish, walleye, sauger and northern pike. Spring and fall are prime times for largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye and sauger, with the best fishing typically from early May to late June and from mid-September to November. Crappie and northern pike, who are more active than other species in cooler temperatures, are best in early April and late fall. Catfish are most active during the summer, and white bass -- the lake's most prevalent fish -- is the species to target from late August to early October. Some of the best fishing can be found near the Gavins Point, Tabor and Springfield areas. Along the lake's southern shoreline, the Weigand/Burbach Recreation Area jetties are a hot spot.

A Little Help Never Hurts

If you're planning your first fishing trip on Lewis & Clark Lake, you might prefer to hire a local guide to show you some of the best spots and provide a few insider tips. River City Guide Service, based out of Captain Norm's near the Gavins Point Dam, and the Walleye Guys, based on the Nebraska side, provide guided trips on Lewis & Clark Lake for up to three anglers that includes all gear, tackle, bait and cleaning of the fish caught by your party. If you prefer to rent your own vessel for fishing, Lewis & Clark Marina has a variety of pontoon and powerboats available.

About the Author

Robert Kay has written travel articles since 2002 and has more than 20 years of experience at three daily newspapers and a national magazine. His work has appeared in "Golfweek," "The New York Times" and various AAA publications. Now based in Florida, he holds a journalism degree from the University of South Carolina.